Hermès raises barricades in fashion war

Share via

A new front will open in the handbag war between two of France’s most powerful families today when members of the Hermès dynasty meet to draw up a line of defence against Bernard Arnault, the owner of the world’s biggest luxury goods group LVMH.

The 60 or so descendants of Thierry Hermès, who founded the leatherware business in 1837, plan to ringfence their stake in an attempt to dissuade Mr Arnault from launching a takeover.

They are reported to be considering the creation of a non-listed holding to control the business, whose Kelly and Birkin bags sell for thousands of